818 results about "Top drive" patented technology

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for handling tubulars and drilling with tubulars such as casing into a formation. In one aspect of the invention, the apparatus comprises a circulating head and a cementing head operatively connectible to a gripping member. The circulating head is used to circulate drilling fluid while drilling with casing, and the cementing head is used to cement the casing string within the formation at a desired depth. The present invention also relates to methods and apparatus for isolating a tensile load from a drilling apparatus rotated by a top drive. In one aspect, the present invention provides a load isolator apparatus having an isolator body operatively connected to the top drive and a torque body at least partially disposed in the isolator body. In operation, the bearing assembly transfers the tensile load from the torque body to the isolator body.

A system for measuring desired drilling parameters of a pipe string during an oil and gas well drilling operation is provided that includes a top drive assembly; a pipe running tool engageable with the pipe string and coupled to the top drive assembly to transmit translational and rotational forces from the top drive assembly to the pipe string; and one or more measurement devices mounted to the pipe running tool for measuring the desired drilling parameters of the pipe string during the oil and gas well drilling operation.

An improved mast arrangement for a mobile multi-function rig has a winch line extending from an upper end of the mast and a traveling block supported thereon. A trolley mountable on the mast is adapted for coupling to the traveling block. The trolley works primarily as a guide for a given load, and therefore is of a lightweight design since loads mounted to the trolley are transferred directly to the traveling block and the supporting winch line. The trolley provides the capability to readily switch between various rig operations, including manipulating coiled tubing with an injector, setting surface casing using a top drive, operating the winch and traveling block for joined pipe operations, and interchanging between top drive and joined pipe operations without removing the top drive from the mast or rig. The rig can run deeper joined pipe applications than previous mobile rigs by providing means for employing the top drive, namely the trolley is adapted to counteract the torsion exerted by the top drive during operation. The trolley is able to work the entire length of the mast after quickly parking the injector near the bottom of the mast. The winch and traveling block have unobstructed travel along the entire length of the mast without disengaging the trolley from the mast and with the injector parked near the bottom end.

The present invention provides an apparatus that permits sections of tubulars to be connected to or disconnected from a string of pipe during a drilling operation. The apparatus further permits the sections of drill pipe to be rotated and to be axially translated during the connection or disconnection process. The apparatus further allows for the continuous circulation of fluid to and through the tubular string during the makeup or breakout process. The apparatus defines a rig assembly comprising a top drive mechanism, a rotary drive mechanism, and a fluid circulating device. Rotation and axial movement of the tubular string is alternately provided by the top drive and the rotary drive. Additionally, continuous fluid flow into the tubular string is provided through the circulation device and alternately through the tubular section once a connection is made between an upper tubular connected to the top drive mechanism and the tubular string.

A method and apparatus for holding and turning a tubular and string of tubulars, such as casing, for make-up and drilling with the tubulars are disclosed. The apparatus generally includes a spear and a clamping head, both of which are mounted to a top drive. The spear and the clamping head can be engaged to transmit torque therebetween from the top drive. In addition, an aspect of the invention provides variable height wickers positioned on slips to enable use of the slips with variable inner diameter (ID) and weight casing without deformation or rupture of the casing. Still further, a casing collar is also provided to provide reinforcement to the casing in the area of slip contact with the casing ID.

Methods and apparatus for drilling with a top drive system are provided. In one aspect, a top drive system includes a top drive, top drive adapter, and a tubular positioning apparatus. In another aspect, the top drive adapter is pivotably connected to the top drive for pivoting the top drive adapter toward the casing string with respect to the top drive. In another aspect, the system includes a telescopic link system connected to a lower portion of the top drive adapter to move the casing string into engagement with the top drive adapter. In another aspect, the top drive adapter includes a housing operatively connected to the top drive and a plurality of retaining members disposed in the housing for gripping the tubular. In another aspect, the tubular positioning apparatus includes a gripping member for engaging a tubular and a conveying member for positioning the gripping member. A spinner may be provided to rotate the tubular.

An apparatus for facilitating the connection of tubulars using a top drive, the apparatus comprising a stator attachable to said top drive, and a supporting member for supporting a tool, wherein means are provided to allow substantially horizontal movement of said supporting member.

Method and system for connecting a joint of pipe to a top drive motor just above the drilling platform of a drilling rig where the connection can be made quickly and safely by a drilling operator. The system includes a top drive motor that tilts about a horizontal axis and a pipe launcher that brings joints of pipe up to the drilling platform for connection with a top drive motor at a safe and convenient height above the platform. The top drive motor further includes a clamping assembly that grasps and pulls the joint of pipe to the motor as the connection is being made. The clamp assembly supports the motor-pipe connection as the top-drive motor is raised in the drilling mast of the rig bringing the joint of pipe up into a vertical orientation for connection with the drill tubing string.

A drilling rig is provided which is adapted to selectively drill using coiled tubing and jointed-pipe. The rig includes a base, a mast, a top drive slidably mounted to said mast for performing jointed-pipe operations, and a tubing injector for performing coiled tubing operations, mounted on said mast for selective movement from a first position in which the injector is in line with the mast and a second position in which the injector is out of line with the mast to permit jointed-pipe operations by the top drive. The rig is uniquely suited to easily and quickly assemble bottom hole assemblies (BHA's), and to connect such BHA's to coiled tubing.

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a torque sub for use with a top drive. In one embodiment a method of connecting threaded tubular members for use in a wellbore is disclosed. The method includes operating a top drive, thereby rotating a first threaded tubular member relative to a second threaded tubular member; measuring a torque exerted on the first tubular member by the top drive, wherein the torque is measured using a torque shaft rotationally coupled to the top drive and the first tubular, the torque shaft having a strain gage disposed thereon; wirelessly transmitting the measured torque from the torque shaft to a stationary interface; measuring rotation of the first tubular member; determining acceptability of the threaded connection; and stopping rotation of the first threaded member when the threaded connection is complete or if the threaded connection is unacceptable.

An apparatus and method for facilitating the connection of tubulars using a top drive and is, more particularly but not exclusively, intended for facilitating the connection of a section or stand of casing to a string of casing.

The present invention generally relates to a method and apparatus for drilling with a top drive system. In one aspect, the present invention provides a tubular gripping member for use with a top drive to handle a tubular comprising a housing operatively connected to the top drive and a plurality of gripping elements radially disposed in the housing for engaging the tubular, wherein moving the housing relative the plurality of gripping elements causes the plurality of gripping members to engage the tubular.

A modular top drive system for construction of a wellbore includes a motor unit. The motor unit includes: a drive body; a drive motor having a stator connected to the drive body; a trolley for connecting the drive body to a rail of a drilling rig; and a drive ring torsionally connected to a rotor of the drive motor and having a latch profile for selectively connecting one of: a drilling unit, a casing unit, and a cementing unit to the motor unit.

A drilling machine and drilling rig for exploratory drillings and producing wells, include a base mounting atop drive, and a multifunctional gripper for gripping drilling pipe from a stock and to be raised on the base for eventual positions positioning at a well center, an elevator being provided below the top drive. The base can be rotatably mounted and have a live ring at a base lower end region, the base being rotated to the pipe stock location and being rotatable to a well center as well. A drilling pipe upper end when raised on the base can be connected to the top drive, and an iron roughneck on a rig floor can be used to connect a pipe lower end to a pipe section in the well. Where two drilling machine are used, one can be used for actual drilling at the well center, and the second supplied with pipework for the operation.

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to methods and apparatus for improving top drive operations. In one embodiment a method of ensuring safe operation of a top drive includes operating a top drive, thereby exerting torque on a first tubular to makeup or breakout a first threaded connection between the first tubular and a second tubular. The method further includes monitoring for break-out of a second connection between a quill of the top drive and the first tubular; and stopping operation of the top drive and/or notifying an operator of the top drive if break-out of the second connection is detected.

The present disclosure generally relates to a combined multi-coupler for a top drive. In one embodiment, a combined multi-coupler including a first tubular member having a first axial load profile, a first torque profile, and a first junction member, and a second tubular member having a second axial load profile, a second torque profile, and a second junction member. The engagement of the first tubular member to the second tubular member forms connections between the first and second axial load profiles, the first and second torque profiles, and the first and second junction members.

Apparatus and methods are provided to prevent an operator from inadvertently dropping a string into a wellbore during assembling and disassembling of tubulars. In one embodiment, an interlock system is used to control the operations of a gripping apparatus connected to the top drive and a spider such that at least one of the top drive or the spider retains the tubular. The interlock system allows the spider to open when the gripping apparatus is supporting a load of the tubular or is in position to support a load of the tubular.